This module introduces the science of human health and covers eight globally important health topics, from nutrition and infectious diseases to pain and breast cancer screening. Each topic integrates biological, chemical and physical sciences concepts with psychology and health statistics to illuminate the causes of disease and disability and the consequence for individuals and populations. You’ll also develop skills for further study of health sciences, including evaluating evidence, handling numbers, presenting data, writing, and using information technology.
This module is studied online and presented through eight globally important health topics:
Topic 1: Infectious disease
The emergence of ‘new’ infections such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola, and the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, are among many signs that infectious diseases still threaten global health. This topic describes the range of infectious agents, the diseases they cause, and the risk factors that increase exposure or susceptibility to infection. It reviews the contribution of hand hygiene, sanitation, an effective immune system, vaccination programmes and other defences against infection and the difficulties faced in protecting the world’s population – particularly young children – from infectious diseases.
Topic 2: Nutrition and malnutrition
Poor nutrition is a major underlying cause of death and disability worldwide. A third of all child deaths are a result of insufficient nutrition, but obesity has also increased rapidly in many countries, with consequences that include increased diabetes and heart disease. This topic examines why we need food and how our bodies process it. You will learn about body systems, tissues and cells, the components of a healthy diet, the chemical composition of nutrient molecules, and the biology of digestion and nutrient absorption. Finally, you will explore the causes and consequences of poor nutrition and some interventions that could reduce nutrition-related disease.
Topic 3: Understanding and treating pain
This topic is an integrated account of pain's psychosocial and neurobiological aspects. It considers the common properties of pain triggered by physical injuries and the pain of events such as divorce, and explores how you might measure these experiences of pain. You’ll study the structure and function of the nervous system and how the activity within it can cause and modulate the perception of pain. Finally, you will learn how pain treatments are evaluated and used in the clinic.
Topic 4: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Permanent loss of lung function due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions of people worldwide. In wealthy countries, most people with COPD are older cigarette smokers, but in poorer countries, younger women and children exposed to indoor smoke from cooking fires also suffer from this condition. This case study explains the science of respiration, the effects of COPD on people’s lives and the treatment and prevention of COPD.
Topic 5: Acute trauma and recovery
Stroke and traumatic injury cause millions of deaths and disabilities globally, and both are rising as populations age and the volume of road traffic increases. You will examine how the body reacts to tissue damage, focusing on brain lesions and limb fractures in younger and older people. The psychological and physical effects of injury are considered in the context of variations in access to emergency and longer-term care.
Topic 6: Alcohol and human health
Heavy drinking increases the risk of life-threatening diseases, accidental injury, psychological impairment, and addiction, but many people argue that moderate intake has some health benefits. You’ll explore global trends in alcohol use, the chemistry of alcohol, how alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and its effects on the body’s major organs and behaviour and memory.
Topic 7: Screening for breast cancer
Mammography screening using X-ray imaging to detect early breast cancer in women occurs in most wealthy countries. This topic explains how breast cancer develops, the risk factors associated with the development of breast cancer, the rationale for screening and how the screening technology works. It also considers the debate about the benefits and drawbacks of screening and explores the tests used to confirm a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Topic 8: Sight: a window on the world
Partial or total loss of sight affects millions of people worldwide and enormously impacts the individual, their family, and broader society. In this topic, you’ll learn about the science of sight, how the eye works and how it can malfunction to cause the common forms of impaired vision. Many cases of sight loss are preventable or curable, and you’ll see how a range of approaches from all the health sciences can contribute to restoring vision. This topic will also allow you to revisit the knowledge and skills you acquired in earlier parts of the module, and will help you prepare for the end-of-module assessment.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need the ability to:
Are you ready for SDK100?
The module website includes induction materials to help you navigate the website, organise your study materials and start a personal development plan. You can access the module website 2–3 weeks before the module begins.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SDK100 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100) starts twice a year – in October and January/February.
It will next start in October 2026 and January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.
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